Leash Training

Risha the Wonder Walker

Now that Risha has lost enough weight to be more comfortable with exercise we are ramping up the leash walking training.  I have tried in the past to walk my two and Risha at the same time but have decided that is not the way to go.  If I put Elsie with Risha on a tandem leash, Elsie's feet almost never touch the ground, and if I put Nina and Risha together on a tandem leash, it's a race to see who can be in front.  I even tried all three on separate leashes once but that was such a major headache I never gave it a second try.

So, now that we are getting serious, it is just Risha, walking alone with me.  Last time we tried a neighborhood walk with a two-foot leash attached to the front of her Wonder Walker harness.  This gave me very nice control of her and it was not a bad walk, altho walking in the neighborhood meant we encountered quite a number of reactive dogs behind fences.  This morning I decided to take Risha to the BPA trail where I have often walked with Nina and Elsie and where I knew we would encounter lots of dogs out for a Sunday morning stroll.

This morning I used a four-foot leash, again attached to the front of her Wonder Walker.  Not long after we began the walk we encountered a woman with her dog, both well known to me!  I had stuffed my pocket full of kibble and after I let the woman know what we were trying to accomplish, I lured Risha's attention with the kibble and kept her focused on me until the woman and dog were a good twenty yards away.  The good thing about a dog who is always hungry:  even her usual kibble is more exciting than lunging and barking at another dog.

We continued our two-mile walk, coming across at least a half-dozen more dogs and people who walked quietly by us while Risha sat on the edge of the trail focused on the kibble in my hand.  I was very much encouraged by her behavior and was even more encouraged when we met another couple with their two very stable, well socialized dogs, that I have met on the trail and at the local off leash park frequently over the past several years.  Risha was doing so well at this point that when one of the couple suggested letting the dogs meet, I agreed.  Risha then performed a totally normal dog meeting with butt sniffing and shoulder sniffing, fairly relaxed. After a minute or so  I resumed the kibble shower and the couple left with their dogs.

The only disappointing aspect of the walk was that I forgot to take my camera!  Next time, pictures, for sure.  And I think I may have to up the ante a little with some actual treats, instead of kibble.  When the weather is cooler I am thinking I could walk her about an hour before her usual dinner time and just feed her dinner on the trail. . .

We WILL get there!

Post Walk